When the Pittsburgh Steelers employed Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, they despatched a really clear message that they had been going to focus their offense round operating the ball. By way of the primary 5 weeks of the season, that has been true. Even when it isn’t working, the Steelers are devoted to operating the ball. Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is getting ready for that mindset.
“There must be a tackling plan,” Graham stated when requested about Najee Harris by way of the workforce’s YouTube channel. “They’re gonna run the ball. It doesn’t matter. I overlook what recreation it was, he had 3 yards speeding within the first half, 70 within the second half.
“They’re not gonna abandon it. That comes from the id of the group, the id of the top coach, the id of the offensive coordinator,” Graham added.
Graham is totally spot on. The Steelers are dedicated to operating the ball till the completely can’t. That’s been greater than evident over the previous two weeks, particularly.
In opposition to the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers rushed for 122 yards, however most of that got here from Justin Fields and Cordarrelle Patterson on one drive. Harris had 19 yards on 13 carries. The run recreation wasn’t working, and but, the Steelers stored attempting to drive it. They didn’t alter fast sufficient, which might be a part of why they misplaced. As soon as they threw the ball extra, they regarded significantly better.
The identical may very well be stated for the sport towards the Dallas Cowboys. Harris had a barely higher recreation, speeding for 42 yards on 14 carries, but it surely nonetheless wasn’t good. The Steelers wouldn’t abandon the run, although. Graham appears to respect that philosophy, however these days, it’s damage the Steelers greater than it’s helped.
Graham continued speaking in regards to the Steelers’ offense, describing what he sees from them.
“They’re basically the identical offense, [running] duo, mixing in some stretch from what Arthur [Smith]’s executed prior to now. Nevertheless it’s gonna be Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots.”
Graham is right that that is who the Steelers have been on offense over the previous few years. They wish to set up the run, grinding away on the opponent’s will. Even with Smith calling performs, that hasn’t modified. Mike Tomlin has a imaginative and prescient for this offense, and he desires to see it turn out to be a actuality.
It did work over the primary few weeks of this season, although. The sport Graham is speaking about the place Harris did nothing within the first half however exploded within the second half is probably going Week 3 towards the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris had nearly no speeding yards within the first half, however he ended the sport with 70 yards, serving to shut the sport out.
That’s an occasion the place the Steelers’ technique was profitable, however they shouldn’t deal with each recreation like that one. In the event that they go down by a number of scores early, persevering with to run the ball with no success isn’t going to assist something. We’ll see how they run the ball towards the Raiders. In an ideal state of affairs, their method works, however they must be extra prepared to pivot if the run recreation isn’t profitable. In any other case, you get the type of video games like that they had towards the Colts and Cowboys.
